New member takes seat on Crystal Lake City Council

December 03, 2012

The newest member of the Crystal Lake City Council is a lifelong resident who hopes to bring a "younger perspective" as he learns on the job what needs to be done.

Cameron Hubbard, 27, was to be sworn in this week as the replacement for Carolyn Schofield, 40, a member since 2009 who was elected to the McHenry County Board in November. Hubbard was appointed by the council to fill out her term which runs until April.

Hubbard graduated from Crystal Lake Central High School and Western Illinois University where he majored in recreation parks and tourism administration. He works as a research associate for Exemplar Financial Network in Crystal Lake.

"I have no particular issues, I have an open mind, I'm trying to go in there ... see what's needed and what's going on," he said in a phone interview. . "I have no bones to pick anywhere."

Schofield also was to be sworn into her new seat this week and was to learn if she will serve a two- or four-year term.

A mother of three and a Crystal Lake resident for 16 years, she served 10 years on the city's planning and zoning commission. She often dealt with issues surrounding the quality and quantity of groundwater and hopes to do the same on the county level, she said.

She referred to a study that claims "groundwater supply in the county was in jeopardy of not being available."

"In the next 30 years, we would outpopulate what our resources could provide for us," she said."I will continue down that path on the county level. With the main focus (being) providing information to public officials and policy makers.

"Being on the county board will help deal with water on a bigger-picture approach while still being able to help and represent Crystal Lake ... just in a different capacity."

The City Council also appointed member Ralph Dawson as its liaison to a working group in discussions about a potential library expansion. The effort is in "early stages," said George Kaczwara, deputy city manager.

An attempt in 2004 to have voters approve an $18.8 million advisory referendum measure failed. It would have aided in relocating the library to a new site..

The council will appoint a second liaison to the working group at a future meeting.